Fun-filled Scottish-American wedding at Dalhousie Castle, Midlothian

Charlie Scott and Hailey Willey leaned into Scottish traditions, including bagpipes, kilts, a ceilidh and an owl delivering the rings, when they married on 15th June 2024 in Midlothian

bride and groom leave Dalhousie Castle after wedding ceremony as guests throw confetti

Charlie Scott and Hailey Willey

15th June 2024

Venue | Dalhousie Castle, Midlothian
Photography | Anna Laska

Scottish American wedding at Dalhousie Castle

It’s a sure sign of success that the only thing Charlie might change about his wedding to Hailey would be the day after.

“It’s still too soon to talk about the hangover,” laughs the groom. “We headed off on honeymoon that morning, but I really wish we could’ve lingered longer in the amazing suite we were staying in at Dalhousie Castle.”

Charlie hails from Greenock and Hailey is from Texas, and the pair met while travelling in California. “Our wedding took place on our dream date – exactly five years to the day of us meeting in a hostel in San Francisco,” reveals Charlie.

exterior of dalhousie castle with bride and groom standing in front

bride and dad hold hands and smile for picture at dalhousie castle

bride and groom look teary as they say vows at dalhousie castle

Many of the couple’s 73 guests were travelling from the USA, so giving them a memorable and authentic Scottish experience “complete with kilts, bagpiper and ceilidh” was the couple’s non-negotiable – and where better to do that than the country’s oldest inhabited castle?

Dalhousie Castle wedding venue

Dalhousie Castle in Bonnyrigg is just 16 miles from Edinburgh airport and boasts towers, turrets and a moat. Imagine a ‘Scottish castle’ and Dalhousie’s fairytale exterior is probably bang on the money.

“We were won over by its modern and stylish interior that accentuated its heritage. It also offered the best amenity-rich package for us among the nine venues we shortlisted.”

owl delivers ring during wedding ceremony at dalhousie castle in midlothian

The ‘Dreams of Dalhousie’ package the couple booked even included ring delivery by owl! “The bird swooping in and delivering the rings to my best man during the ceremony was one of my personal highlights,” grins Charlie.

“Our guests still can’t stop talking about it.”

The couple say the venue team were accommodating, flexible and helpful every step of the way. “Hailey and I agree our wedding was the best day of our lives, and the amazing people at the venue were a key part of that. They shared so much advice and made a point of handling vendors and guests so we could focus on the day. Their attention to detail kept everything on track with no hiccups or disruptions.”

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Scottish wedding traditions

As you might imagine, the couple really leaned into Scottish wedding traditions. “I loved seeing my father-in-law and brother-in-law, both Texas-born and bred, wearing kilts and spinning round our bouncing dancefloor,” laughs Charlie.

“During his speech, Hailey’s dad gave an entertaining history lesson on the family’s Scottish heritage – it turns out, ironically, that they’re rival clans of my family!”

groom drinks from quaich during wedding ceremony at dalhousie castle

bride walking down the aisle with her dad wearing a kilt at wedding at dalhousie castle

bride and bridesmaid standing side by side and laugh for photo at dalhousie castle

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Scotland’s most famous export also played a starring role, courtesy of one VIP guest. “My 90-year-old grandmother carted round a bottle of my late grandfather’s favourite whisky all day and was determined to put it on the top table herself.

“When I explained the whisky’s sentimental value in my speech, it brought a deeply emotional reaction from many of our guests. It was such a beautiful way to honour my dearly departed grandfather,” says Charlie.